Abstract: In a fuel injector, the temperature differential between a distributor plate, through which relatively cool fuel passes, and the manifold to which the distributor plate is bonded causes stresses and strains that can reduce the durability and longevity of the fuel injector. In disclosed embodiments, the distributor plate is bonded to an outer arm and inner arm. These arms act as levers to take up the stresses and strains caused by the temperature differential, thereby increasing the durability and longevity of the fuel injector.

Abstract: No known single-stage dry low emissions fuel injectors are capable of effectively operating over all ranges of hydrogen concentrations in hydrogen/natural gas fuel mixtures. Accordingly, a fuel injector is disclosed that is capable of operating in both a premix mode for fuel mixtures with lower hydrogen concentrations and a micromix mode for fuel mixtures with higher hydrogen concentrations. The fuel injector may comprise premix jets near an inlet of the fuel injector, optionally within one or more swirlers, and micromix jets near the outlet of the fuel injector. In the premix mode, fuel with lower hydrogen concentrations is provided to the premix jets, whereas in the micromix mode, fuel with higher hydrogen concentrations is provided to the micromix jets.

Abstract: Tip shrouds or other shrouds with multi-slope geometries are generally implemented using segments, since performing the necessary cut for an alternative split-ring design is difficult given conventional cutting processes. However, a segmented design generally results in more leakage, relative to a split-ring design. Accordingly, a split-ring multi-slope design is disclosed that can be more easily manufactured. In particular, a continuous ring may be cut along a linear path to produce a split ring, and then the ends of the split ring may be machined to form complementary shiplap portions. The split ring may then be compressed for installation by overlapping the shiplap portions, to form a seal against leakage through the shroud.

Abstract: Tip shrouds or other shrouds with multi-slope geometries are generally implemented using segments, since performing the necessary cut for an alternative split-ring design is difficult given conventional cutting processes. However, a segmented design generally results in more leakage, relative to a split-ring design. Accordingly, a split-ring multi-slope design is disclosed that can be more easily manufactured. In particular, a continuous ring may be cut along a linear path to produce a split ring, and then the ends of the split ring may be machined to form complementary shiplap portions. The split ring may then be compressed for installation by overlapping the shiplap portions, to form a seal against leakage through the shroud.

Abstract: A system and methods for automatically and securely connecting a customer premises equipment (CPE) to a headquarters production environment are disclosed. The method includes automatically transmitting handshake messages from the CPE to a headquarters pre-enrollment server; establishing a generic VPN tunnel between the CPE and an isolated server; obtaining one or more parameters from the CPE and establish the pre-enrollment tunnel; using the one or more parameters, verifying the CPE; and establishing a production tunnel between the CPE and the production environment.

Abstract: In a closed system that recirculates exhaust gas from a gas turbine engine, recirculated exhaust gas should be mixed into inlet gas in a manner that produces a uniform distribution within the mixed gas, while preventing an excessive pressure drop at the point of mixing, and without needing excessive duct length. Otherwise, the performance of the gas turbine engine may be detrimentally affected. Accordingly, a mixer box is disclosed that injects recirculated exhaust gas into a flow path of inlet gas in a uniform manner. The mixer box may comprise mixer(s) that extend the flow path of the recirculated exhaust gas into the flow path of the inlet gas along two axes. Each mixer may comprise surface apertures and/or interior channels designed to promote uniform ejection of the recirculated exhaust gas from the mixers into the flow path of inlet gas.

Abstract: A pneumatically variable nozzle vane is disclosed that is capable of performing the same or similar function as a mechanically variable nozzle vane. Within its core, each pneumatically variable nozzle vane may comprise one or more cavities in fluid communication with one or more outlets to eject a gas from the nozzle vane into a flow path of working fluid through the nozzle. Each cavity may be shaped to match an internal pressure gradient to the external pressure gradient of the nozzle vane. The gas may be ejected as a curtain, substantially perpendicular to the flow path through the nozzle, to thereby manipulate the flow of a working fluid through the nozzle in a similar manner as a mechanically variable nozzle vane. In an embodiment, each nozzle vane may have two cavities supplying outlets on both the pressure-side and suction-side of the nozzle vane.

Abstract: In a closed system that recirculates exhaust gas from a gas turbine engine, recirculated exhaust gas should be mixed into inlet gas in a manner that produces a uniform distribution within the mixed gas, while preventing an excessive pressure drop at the point of mixing, and without needing excessive duct length. Otherwise, the performance of the gas turbine engine may be detrimentally affected. Accordingly, a mixer box is disclosed that injects recirculated exhaust gas into a flow path of inlet gas in a uniform manner. The mixer box may comprise mixer(s) that extend the flow path of the recirculated exhaust gas into the flow path of the inlet gas along two axes. Each mixer may comprise surface apertures and/or interior channels designed to promote uniform ejection of the recirculated exhaust gas from the mixers into the flow path of inlet gas.

Abstract: A tip shroud, comprising a plurality of tip shoes encircling a rotor assembly, in a turbine may deform due to thermal gradients experienced during operation of the turbine. Accordingly, a tip shoe is disclosed that utilizes an internal cooling cavity to supply coolant throughout the interior of the tip shoe, as well as to the slash faces of the tip shoe. In addition, features are described that increase the surface area exposed to the coolant, while remaining suitable for additive manufacturing.

Abstract: The unexpected failure of a turbomachine can be costly and dangerous. Processes may collect data from a turbomachine, calculate durations of machine events from the collected data, and apply a model to those machine-event durations to predict future machine-event durations and/or detect trends in the machine-event durations. This predictive output may be utilized to inform downstream functions regarding the health of the turbomachine. For example, a downstream function may utilize the predictive output to detect degradation or a potential future failure in the turbomachine and trigger remedial functions, such as alerts and/or controls, to prevent or mitigate the degradation or failure of the turbomachine.

Abstract: It is important to accurately measure the emissions of a turbomachine for a variety of reasons. However, continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) can be expensive to install and maintain. Accordingly, a digital platform is disclosed that hosts physics-based and/or statistical models that can be tailored to specific turbomachines and calibrated over the life of the turbomachine. The model for a turbomachine can be applied to data collected from the turbomachine to predict the emissions of the turbomachine. This enables monitoring of emissions, remotely and without the need of a CEMS. In addition, the platform may utilize the predicted emissions for alerts, compliance monitoring, health monitoring, control of the turbomachine, reporting, and/or the like.

Abstract: In the turbine of a gas turbine engine, disk cavities exist between rotor and stator assemblies. These disk cavities enable hot gas from the hot gas flow path to ingress between the rotor and stator assemblies with detrimental effects to the durability of the turbine. Thus, a flow discourager is disclosed that can be integrated into the platform of a stator assembly that is downstream from a rotor assembly. The flow discourager comprises a continuous external surface that defines a recirculation zone within a disk cavity that is aft to a rotor assembly to circulate the hot gas back out into the hot gas flow path.

Abstract: Exhaust outlets (e.g., in a gas turbine engine) are generally made from sections of thin-walled materials (e.g., sheet metal) that are joined by flanges. Due to the length of the exhaust outlet and differing thermal expansion coefficients exhibited by the flanges and the thin-walled materials, these joints are subjected to high mechanical, as well as thermal, stresses. A long-arm flange is disclosed that decouples the mechanical stress from the thermal stress in the flange and distributes the stress, to thereby reduce the stress at the flange interface. Additionally, the long-arm flange can be easily adapted to the specific geometry of any exhaust outlet.

Abstract: An owner or operator of a turbomachine, such as a gas turbine engine, may wish to extend a service interval for the turbomachine. A framework is disclosed that enables automation of various aspects of the review process, including the generation of a risk assessment for the service interval extension. Data, including equipment data, may be aggregated from a plurality of different data silos. A physics-based model may be applied to the equipment data to calculate a remaining useful life of the equipment, which may then be used to generate the risk assessment. In addition, the framework may facilitate multiple levels of evaluation of the risk assessment to increase confidence in a final approval or denial of the service interval extension.

Abstract: Exhaust outlets (e.g., in a gas turbine engine) are generally made from sections of thin-walled materials (e.g., sheet metal) that are joined by flanges. Due to the length of the exhaust outlet and differing thermal expansion coefficients exhibited by the flanges and the thin-walled materials, these joints are subjected to high mechanical, as well as thermal, stresses. A long-arm flange is disclosed that decouples the mechanical stress from the thermal stress in the flange and distributes the stress, to thereby reduce the stress at the flange interface. Additionally, the long-arm flange can be easily adapted to the specific geometry of any exhaust outlet.

Abstract: Enclosures are used to attenuate noise produced by a high decibel producing device, such as a gas turbine engine or other rotating machinery. However, enclosures that achieve high Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings are generally expensive and immobile, whereas inexpensive and mobile enclosures are generally incapable of achieving high STC ratings. Accordingly, a composite noise-attenuating panel system is disclosed that can achieve the high STC ratings associated with immobile, site-erected enclosures, using subpanels that are separated by an air gap and an internal filler (e.g., mineral wool), while maintaining the weight, form factor, and ease of use associated with lightweight, modular mobile enclosures.

Abstract: A fuel injector is disclosed for reducing flashback. In an embodiment, the fuel injector may comprise an injector head with purge holes on a radial wall along a radial axis between an assembly axis of the fuel injector and a plurality of vanes arranged circumferentially around the assembly axis. In addition, the plurality of vanes may comprise fuel outlets connecting interior fuel passages to spaces between the vanes. The introduction of these purge holes near the bases of the vanes and the configuration and positioning of the fuel outlets in the vanes and elsewhere in the fuel injector may alter the stoichiometry (e.g., fuel-air ratio) within the premix passage of the fuel injector to reduce flashback. A plurality of such fuel injectors may be used in the combustor of a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A tip shroud, comprising a plurality of tip shoes encircling a rotor assembly, in a turbine may deform due to thermal gradients experienced during operation of the turbine. This can make it difficult to remove the tip shroud during disassembly of the turbine. In an embodiment, to facilitate consistent and reliable removal of the tip shroud during each disassembly of the turbine, one or more, including potentially all, of the tip shoes of a tip shroud may be provided with one or more radially protruding puller hooks. Each puller hook enables an axial force to be transferred by one or more tools to an axially inner surface of the puller hook, to thereby produce axial movement of the tip shoe out of the tip shroud.

Abstract: In the turbine of a gas turbine engine, disk cavities exist between rotor and stator assemblies. These disk cavities enable hot gas from the hot gas flow path to ingress between the rotor and stator assemblies with detrimental effects to the durability of the turbine. Thus, a flow discourager is disclosed that can be integrated into the platform of a stator assembly that is downstream from a rotor assembly. The flow discourager comprises a continuous external surface that defines a recirculation zone within a disk cavity that is aft to a rotor assembly to circulate the hot gas back out into the hot gas flow path.

Abstract: Known micromixers for fuel injection (e.g., in a gas turbine engine) experience early burning or have limited operability. Accordingly, a micromixer is disclosed that utilizes an air nozzle, in combination with one or more fuel jets, to produce short flames that minimize the emission of nitrogen oxides, while providing additional benefits, such as mechanical robustness, aerodynamic efficiency, resistance to flame damage, suitability for additive manufacturing, wider operating ranges, operation with a variety of gaseous fuels, and/or amenability to control using conventional mechanisms.